The cool night air was a welcome feeling as he walked along the busy street. He stuffed one hand in his pocket and ran the other through his hair with a sigh. Stephanie had practically bolted after their near kiss earlier today and then bolted again after their on air scene. What had happened had obviously freaked her out. Him too. They'd agreed to respect Vince's wishes but damn if it wasn't hard when she was standing that close and he could smell her perfume and see into her wonderful blue eyes that didn't for one second look like she wanted him to stop. He had to stop thinking like this or else another situation like today would happen and God only knows what would happen then. Vince would freak the hell out if they went behind his back. People were starting to talk. Some of the boys still thought they were together and he was used to the funny looks and hushed voices as he walked past. He guessed that it took a situation like this to arise for you to really find out who your friends are. But if he was being honest, he really didn't care. It was none of their business as far as he was concerned. Who he decided to have a relationship with was nothing to do with them. Apparently that was wrong though. After their original talk, Vince had talked to him separately. He had told him exactly how he felt about the boys in the back but the older man was quick to correct him. It was in fact their business because it affected them. Or so they felt. Some had went to Vince themselves and told him how they didn't like the fact that he was sleeping with one of the bookers. It had to have been somebody high up otherwise Vince wouldn't have cared. If he ever found out who it was he wouldn't hesitate to smack him in the face. Selfish bastard. He turned the corner and spied a few bars lining the street. He wasn't a drinker but if there was ever anything that would drive him to drink it would be this. He didn't know how much longer he could take working with her in such close proximity yet knowing that he couldn't have anything with her outside the ring. It was slowly but surely killing him. He walked past the musty bars and the stench of alcohol and smoke quickly filled his lungs. His face screwed up and he hurried along, heading in the direction of the hotel. The best thing would probably be to just get to his room, order some room service and crash there. Damn he sounded like such a chick! He let out a soft chuckle as he spotted the hotel and crossed the road. As he entered, he saw none other than the McMahon family themselves mulling around the reception desk. His heart caught in his throat when he saw her standing there, completely oblivious to him. She always did have the ability to take his breath away. She looked stunning in her red dress and killer red heels. He tried but failed miserably in tearing his eyes from her. As he took a step, something hard connected with his leg.

"Shit!" He cursed as he wobbled about, trying to stay on his feet. But it was useless and he fell over the Bellboy's trolley, causing a huge crashing sound to ring around the reception area.

"Oh My God! Sir, are you alright? Sir? Sir?" cried the helpless Bellboy. In an upstanding hotel like this, something this silly could lose him his job. He looked at the other man who was currently picking himself up off the ground.

Paul groaned as he finally got to his feet. His shin was in agony. He glared at the young Bellboy. "I'm fine! Jesus! You really need to watch where you're going, kid." He dusted himself off and when he finally lifted his head, he saw her watching him from across the room. This was the last thing he needed. The entire McMahon family just saw him fall over and make an ass of himself. Their eyes connected and he felt a tug in his chest. He wanted nothing more than to walk over there and take her into his arms. Like that was going to happen with Vince standing there. He'd be liable to get a smack in the jaw.

"I'm so sorry sir. Is everything ok?" came the concerned voice next to him. He tore his eyes from Stephanie's and looked at the older suited man. Poor guy looked terrified that he was going to sue or something. For a brief second he allowed a smile to grace his face before growing serious again.

"I'm fine. Really, it's nothing to worry about," he assured him.

"That's great. If you'd like an upgrade or......"

"No no. Like I said, I'm great." He just wanted the guy to go the hell away. Thankfully he did. He watched as he made his way across the carpeted floor and back behind his desk. The rest of the people that were curiously looking on quickly realised that the commotion was over and went back to their business. Except the McMahon's who all came bumbling over.

"Paul!" barked Vince as he shot a death glare at the Bellboy. "What the hell was that? Are you hurt?"

Paul inwardly cringed. Something about this situation made him feel really uncomfortable. "I'm fine Vince really. He just whacked my shin that's all."

"You should sue his damn ass for being such a God damn idiot!" he roared all over the room causing the terrified young man to practically run to the elevators and the manager behind the desk to almost pee his pants!

"Vince!" cried Linda. She slapped him lightly on the arm as if scolding a child.

"What? He could have injured one of my stars for God's sake!" Vince reasoned, finally turning his attention back to the group in front of him.

There was a weird silence as Paul tried to keep his gaze from Stephanie's. He didn't want to look at her for fear of everyone knowing how he truly felt. But she wasn't making it easy. He knew she was staring right at him. It would seem strange if he didn't even acknowledge her so he did. Their eyes met and again he felt that same tug in his chest. She looked so beautiful yet so sad.

"Are you sure you're alright? I know how you are, Paul."

Her soft voice and the tender look in her eyes were all too much for him. He had to get away from them. There was no way in hell he was going to stand and talk to her with the whole McMahon clan standing right next to them ready to take notes.

He put on a brave face and smiled at her. "Like I said, I'm fine Steph. Well I've got to get going now. I'll be seeing you." He lifted his hand in a little wave before turning and making his way to the elevators.

"Please don't follow me, please don't follow me," he whispered impatiently. The elevator was taking forever to appear. At last it pinged open and he stepped inside. He hit the number to his floor. The final image he saw just before the doors closed was the sad expression on her face as she watched him from the outside. It haunted him all the way to his room where he immediately crashed on his bed, punching the pillow fiercely.

"Fuck!" he cried in frustration. This thing wasn't going to go away. He was in love with her. Things were going to get a lot more complicated before they got easy.


"Well that was strange. It's not like Paul to be so abrupt," commented Vince as the family headed towards the hotel bar.

"He did just fall and embarrass himself in front of all those people dear," replied Linda although she knew the real reason he had left so quickly and it was currently walking beside her. Sometimes she thought Vince was blind not to see what was going on.

"I'm sure he'll be fine. You know Paul, he'll laugh it off in the morning," said Shane as they found a booth and took a seat. He glanced at his sister. She hadn't said a word since it happened. "Right Steph?"

Stephanie lifted her gaze from the table and managed a smile. "What? Oh, yeah. Right." She had run out on him back at the arena and now he had done the exact same thing to her. Why were they both so adamant on running from each other. Heck, she even had a date set up! As she debated with herself, she failed to notice the glances shared between her family members across the table.

"Listen guys, I'm not really feeling up to a drink right now. I think I'll just head up to my room." She made the rounds, hugging and kissing her respective family members before heading for the elevators. The remaining McMahons sat quietly. As Linda caught her husband's eye and saw the look on his face, she knew right then and there that he wasn't so blind. He knew what was going on. He also knew that it was his damn fault for letting them be together and then taking it away. She silently hoped that this would smarten him up and make him realise that not only was he hurting one of his top performers, but also his daughter as well.